Drummerszone gives you a preview of what NAMM 2006 has to offer for drummers and percussionists. In alphabetical order:

Adams Musical Instruments
One of the largest booths at NAMM just got bigger with the addition of Hughes & Kettner under the same roof as Pearl Drums and Adams Musical Instruments. Adams Musical Instruments introduces its new Concert Series and Soloist Series Vibraphones. Booth #22634.

Axis Percussion
See the latest improvements to the Axis line of ultra-light hardware, stands and accessories, including the world-record-setting Longboards A Double pedal.

Axis is a proud sponsor of The Music Edge’s Fastest Drummer Competition and will give one Longboards A Double Classic Black to the fastest feet winner. Preliminaries in Hall E, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Finals in the main courtyard Sunday,1:00 –2:00 p.m. Booth #33478.

Drums for North America (TRX Cymbals)
NAMM 2006 marks the debut of the TRX Cymbals Co. Distributed exclusively by Drums for North America. The strong newcomers are “young Turks ” whose four distinctive lines of custom-made cymbals combine the highest quality materials and traditional Turkish handcraftsmanship with new designs to create a range of sounds and styles that are aimed at meeting the needs of today’s progressive drummers. Booth #33087.

E-Pad Enterprises
Strike Zone practice pad for drummers (beginner to pro). E-Pad manufactures a range of innovative drum practice pads and accessories that feature Endura Flex, a trademarked material whose bounce characteristics are between a pillow and standard gum rubber pads. Develop greater speed, endurance and control.

Artist appearances of The E-Pad include Dante Roberson, Al Pahanish, Carl Tassi, Bryan Hitt, and Larry Bright. Daily, from 12:00 p.m.– 5::00 pm. Booth #22861.

Garape Vibrations
DrumDrops, a new percussion instrument damping product, is a leap forward in drum damping technology. The renewable, self-adhesive quality of the polymer patch stays attached to the drumhead regardless of position, yet can be easily removed, leaving no residue. DrumDrops: a durable, practical answer to tone and volume control. Hall D, booth #3397.

Gretsch
GretschGear.com will be exhibiting the official line of Gretsch ® Brand apparel and accessories. The new 2006 Gretsch Gear Catalog celebrates over 120 years of \"That Great Gretsch Sound\" with limited-edition collectibles, accessories and original historic Gretsch Company catalogs, posters and stickers. Booth #33540.

Hal Leonard Corporation
Hundreds of songbooks, instructional publications and DVDs, featuring the new Drum Play-Along series; new editions in the popular White Pages and Essential Songs series; the hottest artist, Broadway and movie collections; plus new educational titles. Booth #4618.

Hudson Music
Hudson Music continues to offer music dealers a wide selection of top-selling drumming DVDs, from award-winning projects featuring Steve Gadd, Steve Smith, Thomas Lang, Gregg Bissonette and John Blackwell to new releases such as “Modern Drummer Festival 2005\", Neil Peart’s \"Anatomy of a Drum Solo” and Tommy Igoe’s “Groove Essentials\". These titles, along with Hudson Music’s new Multi-Media Packs, are distributed exclusively by the Hal Leonard Corp. Booth #44618.

Leedy Drums
Leedy Drums is proud to introduce the new Leedy Professional Drum Series for 2006. The new retro-classics are made by hand in the U.S. factory and feature many of the original innovations that made the Leedy Drum Company an industry leader during the last century. Unique features include the floating-head concept, self-aligning lug, and pearloid coverings. Booth #3540.

Ludwig
Ludwig Vistalite Drums in four clear colors; new Glitter finishes on Classic Maple outfits; Extensive line of Exotic Snare Drums; New mid-priced hardware. Pick up your free Tre Cool poster! Artist autograph sessions Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Booth # 4224.

Pearl
The new Pearl products on display will include new lines of Folkloric and Brazilian Pearl Percussion and the highly anticipated Vinnie Paul Signature Snare Drum. Plus see the new additions to Pearl’s line of Philharmonic Series Snare Drums. Marching percussion products will be on display, including Pearl ’s exclusive Championship CarbonPly Series and all new Monoposto and compound hinge carriers.

An impressive number of show-stopping live demonstrations are scheduled, including Virgil Donati and Planet X. Booth #22634.

Puresound Percussion
Puresound expands its line-uup of premium snare wires with the all-new “Twisted ”double-braided series,while also introducing the high-performance yet affordably priced “Metrix ”series. These innovations,as well as the full line of Puresound snare wires and Speedball bass drum beaters, will be displayed at the Puresound Booth. Hall D, Booth #3064.

RMV drums
RMV, the leading Brazilian drum and percussion specialist, expands its North American presence with the new X5/Special Edition drum set. The affordably priced, semi-pro kit, along with the rest of RMV’s top-quality drums, pedals, hardware and heads, will be on display at the RMV exhibit. Hall D, Booth #2746.

Sabian
Following the award-winning success of HHX Evolution, Sabian and legendary drummer Dave Weckl have collaborated on HHX Legacy, a range of darker, more complex-sounding cymbals. And kicking off a bold in-store merchandising initiative, Sabian will also unveil a newly designed cymbal and product merchandising unit to replace wall and floor displays. Booth #33254.

\"Sabian live\" is Sabian\'s annual all-star drum event. This year it\'s featuring the Dave Weckl Band and other special guests. \"Sabian live\" takes place on Friday, January 20, 2006, 7:30 pm - 1:00 am. Location: Hilton Anaheim Hotel.

Submersible Music
Submersible Music will be introducing the new DrumCore™ expansion packs with songwriter GrooveSets containing loops, fills, variations and MIDI drum kits. The new DrummerPacks include “LonniePack I” with award-winning country drummer Lonnie Wilson, “AlanPack I” with Alan White (Yes) and “TerryPack I” featuring Terry Bozzio (Zappa, Missing Persons). Other new DrumCore developments will also be highlighted. Hall A, Booth #6225.

Tama
Tama artists Simon Phillips, Kenny Aronoff, Jason Bittner (Shadows Fall), Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), and Chad Butler (Switchfoot) will be present. Booth #44634.

Volcano Percussion
Hawaii Conga and Bongo drums “Made in Hawaii”. Created from Hawaiian exotic woods, such as koa, mango and monkeypod, with handmade stainless steel hardware. “Where Every Drum Is An Original”. Booth #22659.

Yamaha drums
Yamaha will present the new Steve Gadd 30th Anniversary Kit, Maple Tour Custom Kit, Junior Kit II, and new Fast Track colors. Hall C, Booth #4578.

Yamaha drums also presents the Groove All Stars: An evening with Yamaha Groove All Star Drummers will surpass all NAMM Show events! Featured drummers include: Eddie Bayers, Michael Bland, Tom Brechtlein, Gerry Brown, Matt Cameron, Teddy Campbell, Keith Carlock, Ndugu Chancler, Peter Erskine, Steve Gadd (who celebrates 30 years playing Yamaha Drums), Russ Kunkel, host Rick Marotta, Marvin McQuitty, Russ Miller, Chris Parker, Oscar Seaton, Dave Weckl and many more!

Location: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Concert Doors: 08:00 pm. (arrive early!) Show: 08:30 pm. Contact the Yamaha District Manager or drum staff at Booth #44578 for tickets.

More concert and performances
Every day from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm: NAMM World ’s Fastest drummer competition. Location: Anaheim Convention Center, Booth #47999.

All-Industry Drum Circle. Friday 20, 2006. 5:45 pm. - 7:00 pm. Location: Marriott Hotel, outdoor plaza.

Drum Jungle, presented by Latin Percussion (LP). Saturday, January 21, 2006: 9:00 am. - 10:00 am. Location: Anaheim Convention Center Lobby.

World Beat rhythms. Saturday, January 21, 2006, 1:00 pm. - 2:00 pm. Location: Anaheim Convention Center Outdoor Stage, between halls B and C.

NAMM 2006, the world\'s biggest music convention, takes place at the Anaheim Convention Center from January 19-22, 2006. More information: check www.namm.com.